Great Britain blocks hay, straw and some animal by-products from foot-and-mouth areas

Hay and straw from outside Great Britain can no longer enter England, unless they come from an exempt country or zone. The same goes for many animal by-products. The rule applies from 27 October 2026.

The aim is to keep out foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The England declaration, made on 26 October 2026, says "entry into England is suspended for" hay, straw and listed by-products from outside Great Britain.

The UK government says imports are allowed only from places the World Organisation for Animal Health recognises as FMD-free. Some goods may also enter after a specific FMD-mitigating treatment.

The list is long. It includes treated hides and skins, game trophies, milk and milk products, and manure. It also covers dog chews, hair or wool, pig bristles, rendered fats, bones and horns. Processed petfood, fat derivatives and blood products are listed too, unless set treatments apply.

Some goods are let off. These include fully tanned hides, wet blue and pickled pelts, and canned or extruded dry petfood. Trade samples, research and diagnostic samples, and intermediate products are exempt. Lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets do not count as hay.

Who is hit? Exempt countries are listed in Annex 1, and FMD-free zones in Annex 2. India, China, Bangladesh, the UAE, Iran and Afghanistan are not in Annex 1. For Russia, only zones in Annex 2 are exempt.

Wales and Scotland have published matching declarations. The UK government says the measures apply from 27 October 2026 in England and Wales, and from 28 October 2026 in Scotland.

What to check

• Is your origin country or zone in Annex 1 or Annex 2?
• Is your product on the list, or exempt?
• Which treatment and documents does your importer need?